ZLV Online

Abstract

The paper provides a comparison of the growth of 13 domestic provenances of European beech on long-term research plots in Bohemia (No. 149 Křivoklát, No. 150 Konopiště) and in South Moravia (No. 153 Bučovice) evaluated at the age of 18 and 20 years, respectively. The plots are part of an originally 14-member series, founded in 1995. The total heights and diameters at breast height of all growing beeches were measured and subsequently mortality, stem volume and hectare growing stock were determined. From among phenotypic characteristics, the stem shape and stem forking were visually evaluated. The mean survival rate of provenances was significantly higher in the plots situated in Bohemia (67% in No. 149 and 64% in No. 150) in comparison with South Moravia (No. 153), where only 46% of the original number of planted beeches survived. On the other hand, beech provenances grow more slowly in Bohemia than in South Moravia. At the Bohemian plots, the mean growth was significantly smaller in Křivoklát (plot No. 149) than in Konopiště (plot No. 150). Although local provenances mostly had a higher survival rate, growing stock, and partially also morphological quality, some of them stand out in this respect. Presented results thus do not fully comply with the current national rules for the transfer of forest reproductive material.